2026-07-05 cruise to the Skerries

Mark Rosenthal

Lovely start sailing from the mooring with 12kt SW winds. Once out of the harbour we headedto the Skerries on a broad reach with great boat speed. We arrived close to the leading line and furled the jib; then with the engine on we dropped the main and moored into the lagoon. The lagoon entrance was guarded by a family of seals and the skies full of arctic terns, common terns, puffins and gannets. Once on the mooring we sat and enjoyed the atmosphere. Due to the falling tide we didn't stay long but as we started to hoist the main the halyard shackle failed and we lost the halyard to the mast head. However. now with wind over 20kt we sailed back on the jib alone, achieving 8kt SOG. Thick fog now shrouded the area around the harbour as we completed our day out.